QUEEN'S PARK — The McGuinty government has named fifteen individuals to a special committee that will advise on province-wide projects to commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, a little-known and tragic period of Ontario’s history, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle announced today.

“The bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade is an opportunity for Ontarians to gain a better understanding of  this shameful part of Ontario’s history,” said Colle. “This committee will provide leadership in a province-wide effort to educate and remember this ugly part of Canadian history.”

The Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee on the Abolition of the Slave Trade will advise the government and work with organizations and communities across the province on activities that commemorate the Act that was passed by the British Parliament on March 25, 1807. Committee members represent academia, historical societies, archivists, the arts, and the African-Canadian community from across the province.

Members of the committee include:

• Dr. Jean Augustine, Chair, Toronto
• Ned Blair, Toronto
• Dr. Hazel Campayne, Toronto
• Debbie Douglas, Toronto
• Lesa Francis, Durham region
• Karolyn Smardz Frost, Collingwood
• Janice Gairey, Toronto
• June Girvan, Ottawa
• Kemi Jacobs, Toronto
• Francis Jeffers, Toronto
• U-sheak Koroma, Toronto
• Dr. Oluremi Ogundimu, Sudbury
• Bryan Prince, Buxton
• Rosemary Sadlier, Toronto
• Carolynn Wilson, Collingwood

The government is investing up to $1 million in community-based commemorative projects to remember, educate and commemorate the history of slavery and its abolition in Ontario.

The bicentenary of the legislation that banned British ships from trafficking and transporting African slaves will also be recognized in the Ontario legislature today with a resolution unanimously supported by all three parties.

Canada’s early settlers brought African slaves to Upper Canada and slavery expanded rapidly after 1783, as British Loyalists brought their slaves with them. In 1793, under Lt.-Gov. John Graves Simcoe, Upper Canada, which is now Southern Ontario, became the first jurisdiction in the British Empire to limit slavery.

The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1807.  It outlawed the slave trade throughout the British Empire and made it illegal for British ships to be involved in the trade and transportation of slaves.

“The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act is part of our identity as a province and as individuals,” said Colle.

For information about funding for community projects, please contact Dr. Afua Cooper, Project Coordinator at (416) 327-8012 or afua.cooper@ontario.ca.

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Contacts:
Rick Byun, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-3460
Michel Payen-Dumont, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7010

• Backgrounder - Ontario Bicentenary Commemorative Committee On The Abolition Of The Slave Trade